University Newsletter October/November 2019

A Message from the President

German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “…it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”

As you will read in this update, life here at Felician University is indeed “rich” because we have much for which to be grateful.

We are grateful for our faculty, staff and student efforts over the years which has led to receiving a 10-year accreditation for both our Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs.

We are grateful for all who are now working on the peer-based process of earning a Middle States re-accreditation.

We are grateful for those who served our nation who we thanked with our Veterans Day Program which included a keynote from a Purple Heart recipient and Felician alumnus.

We are grateful to our student athletes and coaches of the women’s volleyball team who earned their first trip to the semi-finals of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Championship. And while the team may have come up short to South No. 2 Seed Holy Family University, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the Falcons saw their most successful season in program history. I am proud of you all!

We are grateful for faculty and staff who continue to work to educate our students while being guided by our Felician Franciscan values.

We are grateful to our trustees for their support and generosity as well as all our patrons who believe in our mission.

And mostly, we are grateful for our students who make what we do here so meaningful and worthwhile. As the end of the semester approaches, I know there will be many more blessings for which to give thanks as we continue to work together to fulfill our Franciscan mission.

And finally, this Holiday Season be sure to use the re-usable cotton bags that were distributed as part of our Sustainability Project, as we work together to be good ambassadors for the environment.

Yes, life here at Felician is very rich indeed!

In Peace and Gratitude,

Anne M. Prisco, Ph.D. President

October/November News

Felician Gets High Social Mobility Ranking

U.S. News & World Report ranked Felician University 22nd nationally, and 2nd in New Jersey in Social Mobility in its 2020 rankings of Colleges & Universities.

Thanks to faculty and staff for giving students the tools and support they need to achieve the academic success that made this ranking possible.

U.S. News & World Report has been publishing college rankings since 1983 to help students and parents make good decisions when choosing a college or university.

President's State of the University Address

Dr. Anne Prisco, President of Felician University, delivered the State of the University Address on October 14, reporting that “Felician is in a good place, and we feel blessed.”

In her address to trustees, faculty, and staff, Dr. Prisco reminded us that Felician’s mission and values inform the University’s commitment to Transformation as evidenced by growth and innovation, “as we continue to work together for more good things ahead.”

In her address at Breslin PAC on the Lodi campus, the President discussed how the University is developing new programs and revising curriculum in order to remain relevant, while exposing students to those who are different from themselves. Felician is doing that by ensuring that our student population represents a "diversity of diversities", enrolling students across NJ, the US and abroad. Just this past year, we signed agreements in Amsterdam and Paris, as well as Italy and Vietnam. Dr Prisco says, "We remain committed to maintaining as diverse a student body as possible.”

Enrollment is at its highest ever as Felician welcomed 397 freshmen to campus this school year. The University also welcomed transfer students, adult undergraduate students, and graduate students. Dr. Prisco also reported that, ”Felician’s retention and graduation rates continue to increase.” Retention rates now outpace national benchmarks. We are also seeing increases in graduation rates and she challenged us all to continue to provide the support and programs that lead to completion.

Dr. Prisco announced that Felician is on a path of financial stability saying that "with a $176 million economic impact, we are a true economic engine in this region of New Jersey."

The President acknowledged the importance of technology, and said Felician is looking into how it will incorporate artificial intelligence and virtual reality into its teaching methods, saying things such as “gaming, interactive design, human aesthetic studies, and digital marketing are some of the areas where we know our students need study opportunities.”

Dr. Prisco told those gathered that “Under the auspices of the School of Education, our Childcare Center has been converted into an inclusive Lab Preschool which will provide a hands-on site for our students in teacher education."

The President looks ahead saying the Felician Community is excited to be moving forward with the Wellness and Recreation Center (WaRC) - a three story building that will have a new fitness center, a beautiful atrium, new Athletic Hall of Fame, and athletic offices. “And yes,” Dr. Prisco added, “the parking lot will get fixed as well!"

Dr. Prisco ended by reiterating that Felician is in a good place, "Thanks to a lot of hard work” and told the Felician Community to “be proud of all you/we have accomplished. Enjoy it as we continue to move forward and grow from this moment.”

Felician University Awarded BSN and DNP Accreditation

Felician University is pleased to announce that the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has granted both its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs a full 10-year accreditation with no recommendations for improvements.

To gain accreditation, the School of Nursing successfully went through a rigorous review and evaluation process by experts in the field of nursing.

The Dean of the School of Nursing, Dr. Christine Mihal says, “It is very gratifying to be recognized for all of the hard work and dedication of the administrators, faculty and staff in the School of Nursing. We continue to be confident that we have outstanding nursing programs which produce graduates who are caring, compassionate and clinically excellent.“

Accreditation means an institution’s program meets or exceeds certain standards of excellence and quality.

NEH Grant to be used for Prism Paterson Project

The Great Falls of Paterson is one of the largest waterfalls in the United States. Every day thousands pass by this stunning natural wonder unaware of its prominent presence. One could call it a jewel of Paterson hiding in plain sight.

The same could be said of the city’s many fine artists, both past and present. Felician University wants to change that with a $100,000 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Initiatives at Hispanic Serving Institutions Grant.

The grant will be used to fund “Prism Paterson,” a new Interdisciplinary Humanities Program, the purpose of which will be to strengthen the teaching of the Humanities at Felician. The new program offers six place-based learning courses that make up separate minor and certificate programs focusing on the literature, music, art, and photography of the City of Paterson, New Jersey.

The new courses include the Literature of Paterson, Music of Paterson, a studio course on Photography in Paterson, Community Writing in Paterson, Travel Writing about Paterson, and Texts and Contexts: Social and Cultural History of Paterson. Creating new experiential courses in the Humanities that reflect Felician University’s first-generation students’ identities will increase student engagement, improve skills, enhance retention, initiate collaborative opportunities, and build long-lasting connections between the City of Paterson and the University, enriching Humanities learning at Felician.

This program will be implemented by the team of Arts & Sciences Humanities faculty led by Dr. Sherida Yoder and members Dr. Kristen Abbey, Dr. Barbara Gordon, Dr. Robert McParland, Professor Michael Nyklewicz, and Dr. Julie O’Connell.

CACC Standouts

In volleyball, head coach John Chang was voted the Coach of the Year by the CACC. Sophomore Sierra Gallagher became the program’s first player to win a major CACC award, earning the Defensive Player of the Year! Senior Jazlyn Pipkins became the school’s all-time leader in blocks and four players broke the school record naming them All-CACC in volleyball; Sierra Gallagher, Miquela Martinez, Raamiah Edwards, Katie Asbery. Congratulations to them all!

Freshman, Ashley Linares of Passaic, has been named the 2019 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Cross-Country Rookie of the Year. Linares was the top rookie finisher, and was fourth overall, on the women's side.

Ceremony Held to Honor Veterans

Felician University held its 10th Annual Honoring Our Veterans Ceremony on Thursday, November 7, on the Rutherford Campus.

Felician University was designated a Purple Heart University, by the Military Order of the Purple Heart in May 2019, in recognition of its support of military members, including veterans and their families. The Ceremony’s Keynote Speaker was Anthony Steiner II of Maywood, a Felician Alumnus and Purple Heart recipient. An Army veteran who was wounded in Vietnam, Steiner served as a member of B-Company 1st Battalion 11th Special Forces. Steiner, who has the distinction of being a nurse who was Felician’s first male graduate said, “I knew when coming to Felician, if you train with the best, you become the best.”

The Lyndhurst Veterans Alliance Color Guard again took part in the ceremony, and the Alliance’s Commander, Tom Witt, spoke about the history of the Purple Heart. Witt, an Army Veteran, Specialist IV, stressed the importance of thanking the veterans who live among us, “often disguised as your grocer, the business office worker, or the janitor. People from ordinary walks of life who have served the country to defend us and keep us free.”

Felician’s Veteran Student Support Specialist Laura Steger, who served in Navy boot camp during 9/11, said she “Appreciates that veterans can find a sense of community at Felician University.”

The Felician University Gospel Choir Group performed. Coffee and cake was served immediately following the ceremony, which played in its entirety on Radio Felician University on Veterans Day.

Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet

Felician University began its Annual Homecoming Weekend with the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet held at the Holiday Inn Conference Hall in Hasbrouck Heights.

The Hall of Fame allows Felician to honor outstanding men and women who have distinguished themselves, and Felician University, in the field of intercollegiate sports. The event also gives the new inductees the opportunity to reunite with fellow student-athletes, faculty and administrators. The honorees were the 2001 women's soccer team, Coach John Brennan, men’s baseball player, Dennis Hulse ‘05, men’s basketball player, Antoine T. Obery ‘13, and cross-country runner, Sarah Namiko Root '11.

Felician University's athletic philosophy emphasizes the development of the whole person, the student, as well as the athlete. It is essential to provide all student-athletes with the direction, assistance, and guidance needed to reach their goals in all areas of college life - academic, spiritual, and social.

Dr. Anne Prisco, President, said, “While I commend all our athletes and coaches for their well-deserved successes, I also want to thank them for their contributions off the field. Whether it's women’s volleyball and basketball holding fundraisers to help fight breast cancer, or student-athletes delivering food and clothing to the homeless through Midnight Run, Felician’s student-athletes remain some of the best ambassadors for Felician University and its Franciscan mission.”

Alumni Return for 2019 Homecoming Family Fun Festival

A Family Fall Festival was front and center at Homecoming weekend featuring food, games, live music, bingo, prizes, and popular "goat yoga" on the Rutherford Campus.

Felician’s Homecoming put the University’s academic programs in the spotlight. At the Lenke Family i-Lab, the public had the opportunity to learn how business students prepare for entrepreneurship, and the challenges and obstacles of starting a business.

The School of Nursing offered an exciting live birth simulation in the Nursing Resource & Simulation Lab. In addition, Felician’s second public art exhibition titled, Thisness & Whatness, which will run through January, officially opened.

The School of Arts & Sciences offered fun and interactive hands-on presentations on drawing, photography, and color. Two soccer games, and a volleyball game were part of Homecoming, and the University offered tours of the beautiful 150-year old Iviswold Castle on the Rutherford Campus.

And thanks to BCB of Rutherford for sponsoring two bands and two biergartens at the Homecoming Festival.

Fall Art Exhibit - Thisness and Whatness

Felician University’s second free public art exhibition titled Thisness and Whatness, opened in October to coincide with Homecoming festivities. The exhibition will run through January, and conclude with a closing ceremony.

The concept of “thisness” was first introduced by the Medieval Franciscan friar John Don Scotus who wrote of haecceitas, or the quality of a thing that makes it unique.

Thisness and Whatness was curated by Felician’s Artist in Residence, Professor Scott Reeds, who teaches printmaking, and a course in color concepts. Reeds got the idea for the show while listening to Felician President, Dr. Anne Prisco, at the 2017 reception for the University’s first art show, Outside In, where she talked about all objects inanimate, and animate subjects, having a special quality of thisness.

The exhibition features pieces by 13 New York and New Jersey artists, and includes painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture.One of the pieces featured in the exhibition is The Encounter III by Betsey Garand, an intaglio with aquatint on paper.

Felician Sisters Honored at Green & Gold Mass

As part of homecoming, a Green & Gold Mass was held at the Immaculate Conception Chapel on the Lodi campus, in honor and celebration of the Sisters, and their years of service and contribution to the University. Faculty, staff, students and community members came to show their appreciation.

Alumna Colleen Frankenfield spoke of how Felician transforms lives because of the work and example of the Felician Sisters, saying, "Felician University transforms lives because every student is given the example, and the respect that they deserve. A respect for others permeates this community from the faculty, staff, administration and each of their fellow students." Frankenfield also said, "My life was transformed at Felician because the Sisters have shared their Franciscan spirit of helping the poor, promoting good, and advocating for those who have needs or are less fortunate.

Mass was followed by a Pancake Breakfast in the Goya Dining Hall where the Felician Alumnae Sisters were awarded a plaque, which was presented by Alumni Engagement and University Advancement, for their many years of dedicated service to the Felician University Community. School of Nursing Holds White Coat Ceremony

Over 200 Felician University School of Nursing sophomores were “coated,” in a White Coat Ceremony Wednesday, October 16, on the Lodi Campus.

The White Coat Ceremony, or WCC, marks a nursing student’s transition from pre-clinical to clinical studies. Sophomores carried their white lab coats over their left arms as they walked to the stage, then in a meaningful rite of passage, junior and senior nursing students symbolically “dressed” the students in their lab coats. Nursing student Julia Pesler said, “It feels good. I am ready to start the journey as a nurse.” A journey which Dr. Christine Mihal, Dean of the School of Nursing, told students, “Will at times be challenging, as there will be bumps in the road.”

The White Coat Ceremony originated with medical schools, and has been adopted by many nursing schools including Felician, which has both a traditional four year Bachelor of Science Nursing program, as well an accelerated program, ABSN, which is offered as a hybrid, or completely online.

Students from both groups were represented at the ceremony, and Dean Mihal told them, “Patients have a story to tell and there are patients who will remember you for their entire lives, and patients you will remember for your entire life. Never forget the impact you have with each and every interaction.”

Office of Student Engagement Helps Spread Breast Cancer Awareness

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Felician University’s Office of Student Development and Engagement held a series of events and activities.

The first event took place on October 2 outside the Goya Dining Hall, where students and staff were encouraged to write a message of support to those who are fighting or have fought breast cancer. Students handed out pink ribbons, and collected the messages to send to those fighting breast cancer who are currently hospitalized.

The event was followed by #FelicianWearsPink Day where the Campus Activities Board handed out Pink T-shirts to students and staff at the Rutherford Campus Dining Hall and encouraged them to wear it on October 16 to show unity among staff and students.

Over 50% of Felician’s student body is female, however, awareness should be equally applied to men. Even though male breast cancer is very rare, being less than 1% of all breast cancer cases, with only 1 in 1000 men ever being diagnosed, men still carry a higher mortality rate than women.

Felician is dedicated to spreading awareness in our community because, while you cannot prevent cancer, you can be proactive to help protect your overall health and assess your breast cancer risk. Suits U Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The innovative new clothing shop, Suits U, is designed exclusively for students who lack the resources to obtain proper business attire to make a good impression at that job interview or new internship. What makes it unique? NO money will be exchanged. Instead, students will “pay” for their business ready new clothing with volunteer service hours.

A $25,000 grant from the St. Francis Fund of Felician Services, Inc. was used to sponsor this important project, which held a ribbon cutting on October 22. Felician joined forces with Cindy Myer, President of Ridgewood Moving Services, who supplied the clothing, which is often left behind when people move. Business clothing was also donated by Felician staff members.

The Suits U project had an educational component as well because it was part of the final course in the School of Business MBA Program. Associate Professor of Business, Michael Omansky says, “It was a capstone course, with a lot of moving parts, and one of the moving parts is an eight-week project for a non-profit organization.” Students worked with Associate Professor of Art, Michael Nyklewicz, to create the store’s sign.

And because good news travels fast, Sr. Annelle had the chance to talk about Suits U on local media outlets News 12 NJ, and NJ 101.5. Here is a link to her interview on NJ 101.5. https://nj1015.com/boutique-at-nj-university-offers-free-business-attire-for-students/

Upcoming Events University Communication Meeting Lodi, Lecture Hall December 2, 2019, 1:10pm

Faculty/Staff Holiday Party Rutherford Campus December 12, 2019

P.S. - Look out for Frankie the Falcon's newly wrapped shuttle vans!

​​Watch magic happen!

Felician University's education is ranked 3rd best return on investment for private colleges in New Jersey 2018 by the PayScale.com College ROI Report, and is ranked #1 safest college campus in the state by niche.com.

Felician University | www.felician.edu

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